The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
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Bloody stools can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like bloody stools here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here bloody stools is often associated with abnormal uterine bleeding, bloody urine and poor appetite in the pattern “Spleen not controlling Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause bloody stools.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bloody stools we’ve identified four herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat bloody stools.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause bloody stools
In Chinese Medicine bloody stools is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen not controlling Blood
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
In addition to bloody stools, other symptoms associated with Spleen not controlling Blood include abnormal uterine bleeding, bloody urine and poor appetite.
Spleen not controlling Blood is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to bloody stools, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine include diarrhea, fever and feeling of heat.
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine is often treated with Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Kudzu Roots - Ge Gen - as a key herb). Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang belongs to the category of "external formulas for external disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
In addition to bloody stools, other symptoms associated with Stomach Blood Stagnation include vomiting of blood and dislike of pressure on epigastric area.
Stomach Blood Stagnation is often treated with Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang - as a key herb). Shi Xiao San belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates Blood".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat victorious agitating Blood
Heat victorious agitating Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to bloody stools, other symptoms associated with Heat victorious agitating Blood include blood in urine, epistaxis and vomiting of blood.
Heat victorious agitating Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
Four herbal formulas that might help with bloody stools
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen not controlling Blood' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen Not Controlling Blood include abnormal uterine bleeding, bloody urine and poor appetite.
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Large Intestine include diarrhea, fever and feeling of heat.
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Why might Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Blood Stagnation include vomiting of blood and dislike of pressure on epigastric area.
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with bloody stools?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious agitating Blood' of which bloody stools is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat Victorious Agitating Blood include blood in urine, epistaxis and vomiting of blood.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bloody stools
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with bloody stools?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with bloody stools?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Red Peony Root (Chi Shao) help with bloody stools?
Because Red Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with bloody stools?
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with bloody stools?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bloody stools as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Other symptoms often associated with bloody stools
Abnormal uterine bleeding Hematuria Bloody sputum Sores Nosebleed Hematemesis Diarrhea Blood in urine Dizziness Epistaxis